BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing fans can expect a number of changes to the beloved dance show this year, as the programme has introduced a string of new rules to the competition
Strictly Come Dancing has revealed a massive overhaul to their voting system for the current series.
For numerous years, fans could support their favourite couple by dialling premium-rate telephone numbers. However, the BBC has now branded the system as “outdated” and unveiled a significant transformation to how people can cast their votes.
The Eurovision Song Contest in Basel earlier this year represented the final major BBC programme to permit audiences to ring in and place their vote.
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These days, digital voting has gained far greater popularity and the vast majority of votes for the previous Strictly series were submitted online, the BBC revealed, reports the Liverpool Echo.
BT confirmed it would cease providing telephone voting services for the BBC at some point in 2025. It has now been verified that voting for BBC programmes will exclusively be accessible online moving forward.
Audiences must possess a BBC account to vote, or you can register for one via the BBC website. The voting portal will become available on the website once voting commences. Fans will have to visit BBC.co.uk/Strictly in order to set up an account and vote.
A clip shared on Strictly Come Dancing’s official Instagram page outlined the details regarding how to vote.
The video featured judge Craig Revel Horwood as he gave instructions on how to vote. Craig is seen in the clip telling fans: “The Strictly Come Dancing vote this year is going online only.
“In order for you to vote, you have to have a BBC account. So to get ready to vote for this series of Strictly, go to bbc.co.uk/strictly where you can sign in or register for your BBC account. Once you’re registered you’re good to go for the whole series, darlings!”
Whilst certain viewers will welcome the digital transformation, other devoted Strictly fans are left feeling let down by the alteration. Taking to social media comments, one viewer expressed: “My nan has been a fan of Strictly for years and is not online at, it’s really upset her as she loves to support her favourite couples each year.”
Another commented: “Not everyone has Internet access or the computer skills for this. Particularly the older fans.” A third chimed in: “Not happy about this. My parents are in their 80s, don’t want an account and get very frustrated online.”
However, the voting modification isn’t the sole adjustment to this year’s programme.
Fans were left puzzled when Claudia and Tess announced a shake-up to head judge Shirley Ballas’ authority.
Previously, during the dance-off, Shirley held responsibility for settling deadlocks amongst her fellow panellists and deciding which celebrity should be sent home from the contest.
Near the conclusion of the opening live programme, Claudia and Tess disclosed that this authority no longer rests solely with Shirley Ballas.
It has now been confirmed that the decisive power will be distributed amongst all four judges, with a different panellist wielding the crucial vote each week. The change will kick in from next week, when the first couple will be shown the exit door.
Some fans were left disgruntled by the shake-up, with one viewer venting on X: “I think would’ve made more sense for it to be down to the public vote instead of a different judge each week but okay.”
Another chimed in: “I was hoping it would be a public vote if the judges are tied but nope.”
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday at 6:20pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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